By Glenn Davis
While most eyes will be focused on the Magic Millions at the Gold Coast this month, Toowoomba’s father and daughter training partnership of Tony and Maddysen Sears plan to head across the ditch with Beau Dazzler for the $1 million Karaka Millions at Ellerslie on January 27.
Team Sears is hopeful Beau Dazzler, a brilliant last-start winner in the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes at Eagle Farm last month, can book his ticket to Ellerslie in the Aquis Gold Nugget over 1100 metres this Saturday on the Gold Coast.
The Sears partnership ran second with Yellow Brick in last year’s Magic Millions Guineas but won’t have a runner this year with Steady Ready heading to Magic Millions QTIS race on Saturday week.
Co-trainer Tony Sears hopes to emulate Sunshine Coast trainer Liam Birchley, who claimed the Karaka Millions twice with Sister Havana in 2010 and Hardline in 2015.
Birchley also finished second with Sarge In Charge in 2009.
“He’s a pretty good horse and he had 10 days out in the paddock after the Phelan Ready,” Sears said.
“He might find 1100 metres a bit short as we think he’ll be better over 1200 and 1400 metres later on.
“If he runs well enough and goes to New Zealand, the 1200 metres is going to suit him perfectly.”
Jockey Robbie Dolan has retained the ride on Beau Dazzler for this weekend and is a possibility of riding him in the Karaka Millions,.
“We haven’t booked a rider yet for New Zealand but Robbie is obviously a chance to go over for the ride,” Sears said.